Digger Divides But Does it Conquer?

Alejandro G. Iñárritu has forged a path in Hollywood built on division through his cinematic prowess for over 20 years. Whether it be psychological dramas like Amores Perros (2000), his multi-narrative Babel (2006), the critically divisive Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths or his latest film Digger, one thing is for sure, a definitive point of view and opinion on the state of the world will be unapologetically in display

Tom Cruise, virtually unrecognizable under prosthetic makeup by Oscar winner Kazu Hiro, plays Digger Rockwell, an oil tycoon and obscenely rich white man who also has a main line and ear of the U.S. President (John Goodman).  When we meet Digger, he is taking a call regarding reckless drilling in the Arctic causing a massive iceberg to break off and triggering a catastrophic global ecological crisis.  Facing an apocalyptic event, the powerful billionaire embarks on a chaotic, frantic mission to fix the disaster and prove himself to be humanity’s savior.

The manner in which all of this plays out is bombastic and mind boggling for most of the film until a plot twist provides a refreshed look at this narrative.  It was in this moment Iñárritu’s cinematic middle finger to all status quo government officials who value greed over the masses they are supposed to protect and represent becomes crystal clear.

In a satirical dramatic turn, Tom Cruise lays it all out as Rockwell in his best role since “Born on the Fourth of July.” As Digger, he is complex, multi-faceted and emotionally bare, yet cunning all at once.  Sandra Huller (who has a total of four major features this year aside from Digger – “Rose” “Project Hail Mary” and “Fatherland”) is just as off hinged and nutty as her onscreen half-brother and business partner in her portrayal of Emma Rockwell.  John Goodman as the U.S. President is eerily reminiscent to what the globe is currently experiencing as leader of the free world, which makes his portrayal realistically comical at best.

However, it is Riz Ahmed is a complete scene stealer as scientist and head of environmental safety Dr. Nirav Ganesh. An actor with an immense amount of range, het brings his complete arsenal to the project elevating himself, the cast and the storyline.

Ultimately, whether one likes this film or not, we can all agree that Digger shovels the manure of a world obsessed with greed, power and technological advances right in our faces to adequately acknowledge and ponder if we will allow this discourse or cut it off at its knees to squelch it once and for all.